What is cosmetic dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry encompasses all cosmetic dental procedures, cosmetic dental surgery and tooth replacement that aims to beautify the smile and the appearance of the teeth. Most of these have positive health benefits, and are thus cosmetic dentistry is not without medical merit. Cosmetic dentistry is for all patients who wish to improve the appearance of their teeth, and fix any aspect of their teeth, like the colour, shape, alignment, size or condition they are in. Cosmetic dentistry may even help with recurring dental problems as well. Here is a list of procedures that fall under the wide umbrella of cosmetic dentistry:

Consultation

The most important first meeting with your dentist. During a consultation session for cosmetic dentistry, the dentist will diagnose and analyse everything about your teeth. The teeth will be checked, a conversation will be had about your medical history, and a treatment plan will be drawn up based on the findings of the analysis, and this will list all of the cosmetic dental procedures you need, itemised, priced and separately listed. You will get a chance to talk to the dentist and ask any questions you need to.

X-ray

Although not necessary in all cases, certain cosmetic dental procedures may require a dental x-ray to be taken. We have our own x-ray machines at our dental practice, so it only takes a few minutes to get the results you need. Certain dental procedures cannot be safely done without an x-ray, and extractions and orthodontry are such procedures that can also be facets of cosmetic dentistry.

Hygiene session

The most basic of all dental procedures in any field, including cosmetic dentistry is the hygiene session. During these hygiene sessions, the dentist or dental hygienist will remove the plaque, tartar and biofilm from your teeth, reaching all of the hard to reach places, and removing the tough calcified bacteria and food detritus that toothbrushes are not enough for. The gums will also be thoroughly cleaned, and so will the gaps of the teeth as many cavities tend to start there. The tooth surfaces will also be polished, making them look brighter, shinier, cleaner, and making the surfaces smoother, which makes it harder for bacteria to stick to them, and will thus not only improve your looks, but make your mouth healthier as well.

Tooth whitening

Tooth whitening sessions are an important part of cosmetic dentistry, and it comes in two major kinds: at home tooth whitening kits, and chair side whitening sessions that happen with a professional dentist or dental hygienist. Tooth whitening sessions can whiten your smile up to 4-5 shades, and remove stains caused by smoking, food or alcohol consumption. But tooth whitening sessions don’t just remove stains, your unstained teeth can also be whitened in the same manner, as the actual shade of your teeth will be brightened. Dead teeth can also be whitened, but they need to be whitened internally, a somewhat different procedure that we also provide.

Cosmetic tooth veneers

Veneers are thin, tooth coloured porcelain shells that are adhered to the tooth surfaces. By using veneers, you can change any aspect of the appearance your teeth, including their colour, their size or their shape. During the procedure, your teeth will be prepared, and the veneers that project the image youwould like of your teeth are adhered to your tooth surfaces. Veneers are often used by celebrities and public speakers to project a million dollar smile. Please be aware that getting veneers is a permanent decision, and although different veneers can be bought, once you get them, you will need them from then on.

Dental crowns and bridges

Although dental crowns and bridges have other medical uses as well, filling in a gap in your smile can really improve the appearance of your teeth, and as such, they need to be mentioned under cosmetic dentistry as well. Crowns and bridges can replace teeth that are still in the mouth and are functional, but are unattractive, have been root canaled or damaged in some way, or can replace a tooth that is entirely missing or has been extracted. Teeth still in the mouth can be filed down and a crown can go on top of them, thus restoring the smile to its former glory, and keeping the biting and chewing functions going as well.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are a halfway between a filling and a dental crown. Sometimes a large enough portion of the tooth is missing that a dental filling would become impractical, but the tooth is healthy enough that it does not need to be destroyed to make room for a crown. In these cases, the most aesthetic solution is to use an inlay or onlay, a piece of tooth coloured porcelain that is shaped like the missing portion of your tooth, like a fragment of a dental crown. These provide a lifelike and beautiful impression, and are indistinguishable from your real tooth.